ineffable memories / / bucky barnes

[thirthy]

TIMESTAMP: PRESENT

"I reckon this isn't how you planned on spending your birthday." Sam mumbled, rubbing his head.

Less than twenty minutes ago, everything was fine. Now, Kai was gone after she said she had a plan, and Bucky was still being chased by the government, just like the rest of them.

"This isn't the time for irony, Sam."

Bucky closed his eyes for a second, remembering the words that Kai had whispered, right before she put them to sleep.

"How could she do this?" Bucky asked low, standing up. He tried to look for signals to find Kai but there was no point.

"Leaving us here or..."

"Arrange a contract kill! I know Valentina is a piece of shit but come on. That's not the Katherine I knew."

"Come on, Buck. I'm not defending her actions, but the Katherine you remember isn't the same as the one standing before us. In both versions, she'd do anything to keep you safe, but it's not the same. We don't even know the full history between her and Valentina."

"It does sound like you're defending her. A lot."

Sam didn't say anything for a while. He couldn't. He didn't know the motives that led Kai to betray the Thunderbolts and especially Bucky, but he knew, for sure that she didn't want to cause his friend any harm. In her questionable way, she thought she'd be protecting Bucky like she should have always done.

His train of thought was interrupted when a phone rang, causing Bucky to groan and throw his head back.

"Yelena's calling."

"Don't you think that it's better if you don't pick up right now?"

"And let everyone think I was sided with Kai on this?" Bucky scoffed. "I thought my running times were over but here we are."

"You're not just pissed about Valentina." Sam stated, crossing his arms. Bucky scoffed again, bouncing his leg nervously. "Talk with me."

"We were doing so fine, Sam. We said no secrets and we made promises and we-"

"You fell in love with her." Sam whisper.

"That's not-"

"Oh my god, you did!" Sam grinned. "I know it's terrible timing but that is just ..."

"I beg you, Sam. Shut the fuck up." He said but couldn't help but smile a bit. "I'm going to pick up the phone now."

Tell me she's with you, Barnes.

It's nice to hear from you too, Yelena. I don't know where she is.

Barnes, I swear to God-

She was with me and Sam, but she dipped.

And how did a supersoldier and Captain America let that happen?

Jee, I don't know, maybe she has powers or something?

You're still with Sam, aren't you?

We need a plan.